Full Description
This book presents composer Richard Wagner's formative ideas in a systematic and coherent manner and examines their development and evolution as reflected in his prose, poetry , letters, and music-dramas. In addition to incorporating numerous letters previously unavailable, the second edition has been thoroughly reorganized. As Wagner's political and religious ideas conditioned the works and music he wrote, considerable attention is now placed on the development and evolution of his major thoughts, showing how they evolved and became incorporated into his music.
Contents
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgements Chapter 3 A Brief Time Line Chapter 4 The Political Stage: From Radical to Revolutionary to Political Outcast; Politics, the Ring, and the End of the Old Order; "The German Spirit"; Hans Sachs: The German Spirit and the Thinking Man Chapter 5 The Spiritual and Religious Stage: Early Thoughts on Religion; Spiritual Dimensions in The Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser, and Lohengrin; Jesus of Nazareth, the Universal God-man, "Judaism in Music" and Wagner's Jewish Associates; Mystical Chapter 6 The Artistic Stage: Innovation and Creativity; The Future of German Music Chapter 7 Epilogue Chapter 8 Notes Chapter 9 Bibliography Chapter 10 Index